London, Nov 12 (IANS) Chelsea’s Italian coach Maurizio Sarri set a new English Premier League record as the Blues were held to a 0-0 draw against Everton in an English league Matchday 12.
Sarri set a new record for the longest unbeaten start to his maiden Premier League season as Chelsea has yet to lose a game after 12 matches, but the Blues only managed to garner a single point in Sunday’s home duel, reports Efe.
Chelsea on Sunday did manage to create several scoring chances at Stamford Bridge stadium, especially on shots by Spanish striker Alvaro Morata, Brazilian winger Willian and Spanish defender Marcos Alonso.
Everton, meanwhile, preferred to sit back and defend its net, which they successfully did.
Colombian centre back Yerry Mina was included in Everton’s starting lineup for the first time in the competition.
After the break, Sarri refreshed his squad, inserting Spain’s Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabregas, as well as in-form Ross Barkley, but the scoreless deadlock remained unbroken until the final whistle.
Morata was the only player to penetrate the Toffees’ defence and he did score off a pass from countryman Cesar Azpilicueta, but the goal was cancelled as he was ruled offside.
Despite securing a point on Chelsea’s home-ground, Everton also returned home with bad news with Brazilian striker Richarlison having to leave the pitch with a pulled right thigh just two minutes before second-half stoppage time.
The 21-year-old Richarlison’s injury came in the final match before the international break, with the Brazilian national team set to fly to London to play Uruguay and Cameroon in friendlies.
With its fourth tie in the Premier League season, Chelsea sits in the No. 3 spot in the standings with 28 points, while Everton is provisionally in ninth place with 19 points.
–IANS
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